Retired members of the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) are threatening to stage what could become one of the largest demonstrations by former soldiers in the country’s history.
Their frustration stems from delayed pension-related payments and what they describe as years of unkept promises by the government.
The Botswana Defence Force Retired Members Association (BDFRMA) issued the warning following a tense annual general meeting in Palapye on May 30. During the meeting, members authorized the association’s leadership to organize a peaceful protest if their concerns remain unaddressed.
At the heart of the dispute are outstanding Transfer Value Enhancement payments. While about 3,500 retired soldiers have reportedly received their benefits since the payment exercise began in 2024, an estimated 2,500 beneficiaries are still waiting.
Speaking to Weekend Post, BDFRMA General Secretary retired Brigadier Mabe Gaborone confirmed mounting pressure from members for stronger action. “It is true that the general membership wants to protest over unresolved long-standing grievances,” he said. He added that the association’s leadership would act on the mandate given by members, while adhering to legal requirements governing public demonstrations.
“Sometime next week, the leadership will meet to discuss the way forward and decide when the protest will be held,” Gaborone said.
The delayed payments remain the primary concern among retired soldiers. “A good number of retired soldiers have not received their payments. This exercise should have been completed a long time ago, but because there is no political will, nothing is happening,” he said.
Many retirees had hoped the country’s new administration would accelerate the process. “We thought the new government would speed up the process, but time and again they have failed us dismally,” Gaborone added.
Former soldiers are growing increasingly skeptical of official assurances. “Whenever we meet government officials, they simply tell us they are sorry,” he said.
The association also cautioned politicians against taking the support of retired soldiers for granted. “We have realized that during election periods there are many promises, but after elections those promises are forgotten. Our members will not allow themselves to be used by political parties and then have their genuine grievances ignored,” he said. “Come 2029, our members will vote wisely.”
Gaborone said the association recently met with Minister for State President Moeti Mohwasa, who acknowledged the government’s financial constraints but reaffirmed a commitment to settle the outstanding payments. According to the association, the government plans to disburse the P5 billion allocated for the program in phases during the 2026/27 financial year.
The dispute has dragged on for nearly three decades, the association said, and it is now considering reviving legal action after losing confidence in previous efforts to reach an out-of-court settlement.
Former Defence and Security Minister Kagiso Mmusi called the ongoing delays troubling. “This is really disappointing. By now, all BDF retirees should have been paid,” he said.
As frustration mounts among thousands of former soldiers, pressure is intensifying on the government to resolve a dispute many veterans believe has lingered far too long.